Is there a trick for reading the oil level on the dipstick?
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Usually when I check the oil level I have to pull the stick out and clean it off several times as the oil is clear and very hard to see on the twisted part of the dispstick. I usually convince myself too, that I've spread oil all over the metal as I pull the absurdly long thing out of the end of the whatchamacallit it goes in.
Just wondered if there is a trick to doing this that makes the level more obvious - like certain light sources or some such thing?
Just wondered if there is a trick to doing this that makes the level more obvious - like certain light sources or some such thing?
#2
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Let your oil get dirty and it will be easy. On a more serious note, i need a very bright light (llike the sun) and cheater reading glasses to get the job done.
#4
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
away from running engine, lay the curved rod on a flat tissue-napkin-kleenex
pretty precise but impossible to do on the road
pretty precise but impossible to do on the road
#6
Nordschleife Master
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Deep Downtown Carrier, OK
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Laying the stick onto a shop towel works. Be careful of lint.
I always have boxes of the blue John Deere shop rags around - they seem to be the best.
The oil will dampen the rag and make ID easy.
I always have boxes of the blue John Deere shop rags around - they seem to be the best.
The oil will dampen the rag and make ID easy.
Trending Topics
#10
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I took a small file and etched a groove at the halfway point on the dip stick. It doesn't make clean oil any easier to see, but does provide a visual "marker" for the Full point on the stick and, for me at least, makes it much easier to guage the oil level.
Of course, this modification rendered my car ineligible for any concours d'elegance competition.
Terry
Of course, this modification rendered my car ineligible for any concours d'elegance competition.
Terry
#13
Race Director
#15
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
with the 2 filters the oil stays pretty clean even with some miles on it - makes it hard to read on stick
The filter on the oil tank looks like it was taken off a piece of heavy equipment
I do agree with you on reading the gauge. If the car as at temp and level, it seems to read pretty accurately.
The filter on the oil tank looks like it was taken off a piece of heavy equipment
I do agree with you on reading the gauge. If the car as at temp and level, it seems to read pretty accurately.